By Adesoba Toluwalope
French fashion designer, Pierre Cardin, is dead. His cause of death is yet to be known.
Born Pietro Costante Cardin on July 2, 1922 in San Biagio di Callalta, Italy, the late fashion designer is an italian born who emigrated to France when he was small.
Pierre died on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 aged 98 at the American Hospital of Paris.
Born into poverty in 1922 near Venice in northern Italy, his family emigrated to France when he was a small child.
His father said, “Italian by birth, Pierre Cardin never forgot his origins while bringing unconditional love to France.”
Pierre grew up in the French industrial town of Saint Etienne, started learning with a tailor, Vichy, who specializes in making women suits, at the age of 17.
After he moved to Paris, he set to design the mesmerising sets and costumes for the film “Beauty and the Beast” with poet, artist and director Jean Cocteau, in 1947.
He quickly established a name as an innovator, creating the now legendary bubble dress in 1954.
Pierre is the first designer to hold a fashion show in Red Square in Moscow in 1991, drawing a crowd of 200,000.
His Collection includes cut-out dresses, tight leather pants, knitted catsuits, close-fitting helmets and batwing jumpers.
He was designated a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1991, and a United Nations FAO Goodwill Ambassador in 2009.
He is the first French designer in 1979 to cement links with China.
Pierre’s brand includes fashion, pens, perfume, jewellery, and watches.
His family made his death known to a news source, they said, “It is a day of great sadness for all our family. Pierre Cardin is no more.
“We are all proud of his tenacious ambition and the daring he has shown throughout his life.”
Elle Magazine editor-in-chief and Project Runway judge, Nina Garcia, said Cardin’s designs are modern and it has shaped the dreams of many women.
“His curiosity, his vision and his love for the art of fashion helped shape the dreams of many women during the second half of the 20th century.
“Even though his designs are truly modern, with silhouette and fabrics that have inspired many contemporary designers,” she said.
Benetton artistic director, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, also described Cardin as “a very extraordinary man.”
